Hydraulic membrane pump assembly for air maintenance tire

ABSTRACT

An air-maintenance tire system includes a compression actuator mounted to the tire carcass configured for operative actuation by tire deformation during a tire revolution, a pump assembly affixed to the tire carcass and including a compressor body affixed to the compression actuator and having an internal air chamber, the air chamber having an inlet opening for admitting air into the internal air chamber and an outlet opening for conducting air from the internal air chamber to the tire cavity. The air compressor body further includes a deformable membrane valve member and an outlet valve member located within and at opposite respective ends of the internal air chamber, the membrane valve member deforming and the outlet valve member moving within the internal air chamber responsive to actuation by the compression actuator between respective open and closed positions, whereby cyclically opening and closing the inlet and the outlet openings during an air compression cycle. The compression actuator includes a hollow containment body formed from a resilient deformable material composition and containing a quantity of a non-compressible medium. The containment body is affixed to a relatively high flex-deformation region of the tire carcass and reciprocally transforms between a deformed state and a non-deformed state to generate a deformation force against a membrane valve member surface and deform the membrane valve between the open and closed positions within the air chamber.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to air maintenance tires and, morespecifically, to an air maintenance tire having an integrated airpumping system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Normal air diffusion reduces tire pressure over time. The natural stateof tires is under inflated. Accordingly, drivers must repeatedly act tomaintain tire pressures or they will see reduced fuel economy, tire lifeand reduced vehicle braking and handling performance. Tire PressureMonitoring Systems (TPMS) have been proposed to warn drivers when tirepressure is significantly low. Such systems, however, remain dependantupon the driver taking remedial action when warned to re-inflate a tireto recommended pressure. It is a desirable, therefore, to incorporate anair maintenance feature within a tire that will auto-maintain airpressure within the tire.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the invention, an air-maintenance tire system includesa compression actuator mounted to the tire carcass configured foroperative actuation by tire deformation during a tire revolution, a pumpassembly affixed to the tire carcass and including a compressor bodyaffixed to the compression actuator and having an internal air chamber,the air chamber having an inlet opening for admitting air into theinternal air chamber and an outlet opening for conducting air from theinternal air chamber to the tire cavity. The air compressor body furtherincludes a deformable membrane member and an outlet valve member locatedwithin and at opposite respective ends of the internal air chamber, themembrane valve member deforming under fluid pressure from thecompression actuator to compress a volume of air within the air chamber.According to a further aspect, the membrane member and the outlet valvemember move within the internal air chamber responsive to actuation bythe compression actuator between respective open and closed positions,whereby cyclically opening and closing the inlet and the outlet openingsduring an air compression cycle.

In another aspect, the membrane valve member in the open positionrelative to the inlet opening permits air flow from the inlet openinginto the air chamber and in the closed position relative to the inletopening obstructs air flow from the inlet opening into the air chamber,and wherein the piston valve member during movement between the open andclosed positions operatively compresses a volume of air within the airchamber.

According to a further aspect, the outlet valve member in the closedposition relative to the outlet opening is operative to move to the openposition responsive to air pressure within the air chamber reaching apreset threshold wherein permitting air flow from the air chamber intothe outlet opening.

The air-maintenance tire system, in accordance with an additionalaspect, in which the compression actuator is a hollow containment bodyformed from a resilient deformable material composition and containing aquantity of a non-compressible medium. The containment body is affixedto a relatively high flex-deformation region of the tire carcass andreciprocally transforms between a deformed state and a non-deformedstate responsive to deformation and recovery of the tire highflex-deformation region in a rolling tire. The actuator containment bodyin the deformed state displaces a pressurized displaced quantity of thenon-compressible medium which generates a compression force against apiston valve member surface to move the piston valve between the openand closed positions within the air chamber.

DEFINITIONS

“Aspect ratio” of the tire means the ratio of its section height (SH) toits section width (SW) multiplied by 100 percent for expression as apercentage.

“Asymmetric tread” means a tread that has a tread pattern notsymmetrical about the center plane or equatorial plane EP of the tire.

“Axial” and “axially” means lines or directions that are parallel to theaxis of rotation of the tire.

“Chafer” is a narrow strip of material placed around the outside of atire bead to protect the cord plies from wearing and cutting against therim and distribute the flexing above the rim.

“Circumferential” means lines or directions extending along theperimeter of the surface of the annular tread perpendicular to the axialdirection.

“Equatorial Centerplane (CP)” means the plane perpendicular to thetire's axis of rotation and passing through the center of the tread.

“Footprint” means the contact patch or area of contact of the tire treadwith a flat surface at zero speed and under normal load and pressure.

“Groove” means an elongated void area in a tire wall that may extendcircumferentially or laterally about the tire wall. The “groove width”is equal to its average width over its length. A grooves is sized toaccommodate an air tube as described.

“Inboard side” means the side of the tire nearest the vehicle when thetire is mounted on a wheel and the wheel is mounted on the vehicle.

“Lateral” means an axial direction.

“Lateral edges” means a line tangent to the axially outermost treadcontact patch or footprint as measured under normal load and tireinflation, the lines being parallel to the equatorial centerplane.

“Net contact area” means the total area of ground contacting treadelements between the lateral edges around the entire circumference ofthe tread divided by the gross area of the entire tread between thelateral edges.

“Non-directional tread” means a tread that has no preferred direction offorward travel and is not required to be positioned on a vehicle in aspecific wheel position or positions to ensure that the tread pattern isaligned with the preferred direction of travel. Conversely, adirectional tread pattern has a preferred direction of travel requiringspecific wheel positioning.

“Outboard side” means the side of the tire farthest away from thevehicle when the tire is mounted on a wheel and the wheel is mounted onthe vehicle.

“Peristaltic” means operating by means of wave-like contractions thatpropel contained matter, such as air, along tubular pathways.

“Radial” and “radially” means directions radially toward or away fromthe axis of rotation of the tire.

“Rib” means a circumferentially extending strip of rubber on the treadwhich is defined by at least one circumferential groove and either asecond such groove or a lateral edge, the strip being laterallyundivided by full-depth grooves.

“Sipe” means small slots molded into the tread elements of the tire thatsubdivide the tread surface and improve traction, sipes are generallynarrow in width and close in the tires footprint as opposed to groovesthat remain open in the tire's footprint.

“Tread element” or “traction element” means a rib or a block elementdefined by having a shape adjacent grooves.

“Tread Arc Width” means the arc length of the tread as measured betweenthe lateral edges of the tread.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described by way of example and with reference tothe accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the tire system showing pump location(1st embodiment).

FIG. 2A is a perspective cut away of the tire showing 2-part pump beforeassembly, and the phantom box shown to illustrate the glue area on innerwall.

FIG. 2B is a perspective cut away of tire showing 2-part pump assembledwith tube inserted through tire wall.

FIG. 3A is a side view showing pump location in non-compressed area oftire.

FIG. 3B is a side view showing pump location in a compressed area oftire.

FIG. 4 is a sectioned view taken from 4-4 of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 5 is a sectioned view taken from 5-5 of FIG. 3B.

FIG. 6A is an enlarged view of the pump showing piston locations at rest

FIG. 6B is an enlarged view of the pump showing viscoelastic materialmoving the upper piston downward and compressing air between thepistons.

FIG. 6C is an enlarged view of the pump showing the upper and lowerpistons moving and releasing compressed air into tire cavity.

FIG. 6D is an enlarged view of the pump showing the pistons at rest andthe relief valve releasing cavity over pressure to atmosphere.

FIG. 7 is an exploded cross section of the pump body.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a tire showing the pump location in asecond embodiment.

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of exploded 2-part pump of the secondembodiment.

FIG. 9B is a perspective view of the assembled pump.

FIG. 10A is a side view showing pump location in non-compressed area ofa tire.

FIG. 10B is a side view showing pump location in a compressed area oftire.

FIG. 11 is a sectioned view taken from 11-11 of FIG. 10A.

FIG. 11A is an enlarged view of the pump taken from FIG. 11.

FIG. 12 is a sectioned view taken from 12-12 of FIG. 10B.

FIG. 12A is an enlarged view of the pump taken from FIG. 12.

FIG. 13A is a sectioned view taken from 13A-13A of FIG. 11A with thepump shown at rest.

FIG. 13B is a sectioned view taken from 13B-13B of FIG. 12A, withviscoelastic material filling the chamber and pushing air through asecond one-way valve into the tire cavity.

FIG. 13C is a sectioned view showing viscoelastic material returning tothe upper housing and pulling outside air through the first one-wayvalve and filling the inner chamber.

FIG. 13D is a sectioned view showing the relief valve releasing cavityover pressure to the atmosphere.

FIG. 14A is a perspective view of the pump body insert.

FIG. 14B is a perspective cross section view of the pump body insert.

FIG. 14C is a perspective exploded cross section view of the pump bodyinsert.

FIG. 15 is a sectioned view showing a modified version of a piston pumpand compression actuator assembly attached to a tire inner liner.

FIG. 16 is a bottom perspective view of the piston pump assembly.

FIG. 17A is an enlarged section view of the membrane pump taken fromFIG. 16 showing the pump at rest with outside air entering the inletchamber.

FIG. 17B is a view subsequent to FIG. 17A, showing viscoelastic materialfilling the pump housing chamber and pushing the membrane valve memberinward to seal off the inlet, and the pressurized air forcing the outletvalve plug member downward to open the outlet and release air to cavity.

FIG. 18A is a sectioned isometric view of the pump assembly shown inFIG. 17A.

FIG. 18B is an exploded view of FIG. 18A.

FIG. 19A is a schematic view of a rolling tire showing sequentialpositionment of the pumping assembly as the tire rotates.

FIG. 19B is a diagrammatic view showing the pump operation at thesequential positions of FIG. 19A.

FIG. 20 is a graph of pumping air pressure over a time interval as atire rotates.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, and 4, the subject Self-InflatingTire System 10 is shown to include a tire carcass 12 of generallyconventional construction having a pair of sidewalls 14, a pair of beads16, and a tread 18. The tire 12 is configured to be self-inflating byinclusion of a pump assembly 20 and coupled compression actuatorassembly 19, both of which being attached to the tire in a post-cureassembly procedure. As shown in FIG. 2A, the assembly 19 may be mountedto a sidewall 14 by application of adhesive as shown in phantom asadhesive area 21. The tire 12 mounts conventionally to a rim 22 having atire mounting surface 26 and an outer rim flange 24 extending fromsurface 26. The tire 12 is further formed to provide an inner linercomponent 28 which defines and encloses an internal tire air cavity 30.Adhesive is applied to the sidewall region of the inner liner 28 asdepicted by area 21. The tire 12 is formed to further provide a lowersidewall region 32 proximate to the bead areas 16 of the tire.

The tire assembly 10 mounts to a vehicle and engages a ground surface34. Contact area between the tire 12 and the ground surface 34represents the tire footprint 38. The compression actuator assembly 19mounts to a sidewall region 42 of the tire 12 having a relatively highflex-deformation as the tire rotates in direction 40 against groundsurface 34 as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. As the tire rotates, thecompression actuator assembly 19 and pump assembly 20 will rotate withthe tire. The compression actuator assembly 19 will be subjected tocompression forces resulting from the sidewall flexing or bending whenthe assembly 19 is opposite the tire footprint 38 for a purposeexplained below. FIG. 3A and section view FIG. 4 show the compressionactuator assembly 19 and pump assembly 20 location in a non-compressedarea of the tire 12 while FIG. 3B and section view FIG. 5 show theassemblies 19 and 20 in a compressed area of the tire 12. In theposition of FIG. 5, the compression actuator assembly 19 will besubjected to the compression forces 36 generated within tire footprint38. The tire rotates in direction 40 and in the opposite directionduring normal operation of a vehicle. As such, the coupled assemblies19, 20 rotate with the tire in both directions and are subjected tocompression forces generated within the sidewall 14 in both forward andreverse tire rotational directions.

In reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, and FIG. 7, thecompression actuator assembly 19 includes an elongate hollow containmentbody 44 formed from a resilient deformable material composition such asthermoplastic resin and/or rubber compound. The body 44 so composed isthus capable of reciprocally and resiliently undergoing a cyclicdeformation into a deformed state and recovery into an originalnon-deformed state when subjected to bending force. The elongate body 44as shown in FIG. 2A, 4, is sized and shaped to generally follow theinner contour of the tire sidewall 14 from the tread region 18 to thebead area 16. The hollow, elongate form of the containment body 44 maybe affixed to the inner liner 28 of the tire at adhesive region 21 ormodified in form for incorporation into the tire sidewall as will beexplained.

The containment body 44 includes an enclosed central reservoir cavity 46filled with a volume of non-compressible medium 48. The medium may be ineither foam or fluid form. Medium suitable for use in the subjectapplication may include, but is not limited to water with an antifreezeadditive. The medium 48 is enclosed by the body 44 within the cavity 46and generally fills the cavity 46. An outlet conduit 50 is provided tothe body 44, the conduit 50 extending generally axially from the body 44and containing an inner outlet conduit bore 51 through which a displacedquantity of medium 48 may travel in reciprocal directions. The conduit50 extends to a leading end surface 60.

Positioned as shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 4, 5, the containment body 44 issubjected to bending forces from the tire sidewall 14 as the region ofthe sidewall to which body 44 attaches passes proximate to the tirefootprint and is compressed by forces 36 on the tread 18 (FIGS. 3B, 5).Bending forces 36 applied to bend the sidewall region 14 serve to causea commensurate bending deformation 52 of the medium containment body 44as shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D. The deformation 52 introduced intothe body 44 by bending tire sidewall 14 proximate to the tire footprint38 causes displacement of a quantity 54 of the medium 48 along theoutlet conduit 50 in the direction shown at arrow 56 of FIG. 6B.Pressure from the displaced medium quantity 54 acts as a pressureactuator to the pumping assembly 20 as will be explained. When the tiresidewall region to which body 44 attaches leaves a proximal position tothe tire footprint 38, such as the position opposite the tire footprintas depicted in FIG. 6A, the compression force in the sidewall isremoved/lessened, causing a commensurate removal/lessening of bendingforce into the containment body 44. Removal of bending force in thecontainment body 44 causes the body 44 to resume its original,non-deformed state as shown in FIG. 4 and the medium 48 to recede withinthe conduit 50 in direction indicated at arrow 58. The cycle of sidewallbending an unbending translates into a cyclic deformation, restorationof the containment body 44 as the tire rotates in either a forward orreverse direction and generates a cyclic compression force fromdisplaced medium volume 54 along the conduit 50. The compression forcefrom the displaced medium quantity 54 is in the direction 56 and isproportionate to the pressure generated by the displaced quantity of thenon-compressible medium 48.

Referring to FIGS. 6A-D and 7, the pump assembly 20 is affixed to thetire carcass 12 at a location adjacent the compression actuatingassembly 19, preferably in an inward radial direction relative toassembly 19. The pumping assembly 20 includes a hollow compressor body62 of generally tubular form having an internal axially oriented airchamber 64 which extends to a lower chamber end 65. The air chamber 64is accessible through an inlet conduit 66 which intersects the airchamber 64 at an inlet opening 67. The body 62 and conduit 66 are formedof a rigid material such as metal or plastic. Conduit 66 is generallyelongate and tubular having an internal axial passageway 68communicating with the air chamber 64 via opening 67. On the oppositeside of the body 62 an outlet conduit 70 of generally tubular formhaving an axial passageway 72 extending there through and communicatingwith the air chamber 64 at outlet opening 73. The inlet conduit 66 andthe outlet conduit 70 are axially offset, with conduit 66 closest to theactuating assembly 19 and conduit 70 farthest away from assembly 19.

A first cylindrical piston member 74 is sized for sliding positionwithin an upper end of the axial air chamber 64 of the compressor body62 and includes a blind axial bore 76 extending into an inward pistonend surface 75. A recess 78 extends through an outward facing pistonside and functions as a collector for the air which will come out of thevalve (assembly 96). It will connect the valve and the canal inside thepiston whatever is the angular position of the piston. Extending into apiston side opposite the recess 78 is a relief valve intake channel 80that communicates with the blind bore 76.

A second cylindrical piston member 82 is sized for sliding receiptwithin a lower end of the axial air chamber 64 of the compressor body62. The second piston 82 includes a cylindrical body 84 and an outwardspring-compressing post arm 86 extending from the body 84 to an outwardend 85. A blind bore 88 extends into the end surface 85 of the post arm.A transversely oriented inlet channel 90 extends through a side of thepost arm 86 to communicate with the blind bore 88. A large coil spring94 is provided sized to fit within the lower end 65 of the air chamber64 within the compressor body 62. A smaller coil spring 92 is furtherprovided and seats against surface 77 within the blind bore 76 of thefirst piston 74. A pressure regulating relief valve assembly 96 mountswithin an inlet chamber 99 of an inlet tubular sleeve 98 extending fromthe compressor body 62. The sleeve 98 includes an inlet axial passageway97 extending from the chamber 99 to the air channel 64 of the compressorbody 62. The assembly 86 includes a circular body 100 having a tubularentry conduit 102 extending outward. A through bore 104 extends throughthe conduit 102 and body 100. A disk-shaped seal component 106 ispositioned within the chamber 99 inward of the circular body 100 and isoutwardly biased against the circular body 100 by a coil spring 108seated within the chamber 99.

At the opposite side of the compressor body and affixed to the inletconduit 66 is an inlet tube 110 having an annular abutment flange 112 atan inward end and an axial passageway 114 extending from an outward tubeend 115 through the tube 110 to the inlet opening 67 of the compressorbody 62. Seated within the tube passageway 114 proximate the outwardtube end 115 is a porous filter component 116 that functions to filterout particulates from entering the tube passageway 114. The pumpingassembly 20 is enclosed within an outer sheath or casement 128 that isshaped to complement a radially lower region of the sidewall 14 andextends from the compression actuating body 44 to a location opposite toa tire bead region. The casement 128 is formed from a protectivematerial that is suitable for attachment to the tire innerliner byadhesive such a rubber matrix.

With respect to FIGS. 4, 5, 6A, and 7, the compression actuationassembly 19 and the pump assembly 20 are connected together as shown forincorporation into the tire carcass 12. The actuation assembly 19 isincorporated into a region of the sidewall 14 of the tire carcass 12that experiences a high bending load as the tire rotates. The assembly19 may either be incorporated within the sidewall 14 or affixed to thesidewall 14 by adhesive as shown. In the externally mounted assemblyapproach shown, the containment body 44 is complementarily shaped andcurved as the sidewall region to which it attaches and extends generallyfrom a radially outward end 130 proximate the tread region 18 radiallyinward along the sidewall attachment region to a radially inward end 132proximate a bead region. The pumping assembly 20 attaches to the inwardend 132 of the assembly 19 by adhesive or other suitable attachmentmeans. The pumping assembly 20 is sheathed within an outer casing 128composed of a tire compatible material such as rubber. The coupledcompression actuation assembly 19 and pumping assembly 20 mount byadhesive attachment to the inner liner 28 of the tire carcass 12 withthe assembly 20 proximate to the carcass bead/lower sidewall region 32.So positioned, the inlet tube 110 to the assembly 20 projects in anaxial direction through the tire sidewall 14 to an externalair-accessible outer tire sidewall side location. Positionment of thetube 110 is preferred above the rim flange 24 so that the rim flange 24will not interfere with intake air entering the tube 110 of the pumpingassembly 20.

As will be appreciated, the outlet conduit 50 of the compressionassembly 19 couples into the upper end of the compressor body 62 as theoutlet conduit 50 of actuator body 44 is received in sealing engagementwith the upper end of the compressor body 62. The compressor body 44abuts against the casing 128 containing the pumping assembly 20. Oncethe assemblies 19 and 20 are attached together, they may be attached toa region of the tire sidewall 14 as shown in FIGS. 2A and 4 anddescribed previously. The first and second pistons 74, 82 aremechanically coupled as the post projection 86 from the second piston 82projects into the bore 76 and against the spring 92 seated within bore76. Axial movement of the pistons 74, 82 are thus synchronous within theair chamber 44 in both radial directions.

FIGS. 6A-D depict the operation in sequence of the pump assembly 20 andcompression actuator assembly 19. FIG. 6A shows the pump assembly 20with the pistons 74, 82 in the at rest positions. The position showncorrelates with a position of the assemblies 19, 20 mounted to a rollingtire as shown in FIG. 3A at a rotational position opposite to the tirefootprint. The sidewall 14 area supporting assemblies 19, 20 whenopposite the tire footprint (FIG. 6A) is not flexed or bent from thetire contact with ground surface. Accordingly, the compression actuatorbody 44 has a bending deformation 52 that generally correlates with thecurvature of the unbent sidewall 14. The medium 48 enclosed within thebody 44 is generally at rest and contacts the leading medium surface 60within conduit 50 against the end of piston 74. The outer piston 74 isretracted toward the outer end of the air chamber 64 under spring biasfrom coil spring 92.

In the “at rest” position of FIG. 6A, the piston 74 is axially above theintake opening 67 if the inlet conduit 66. As a result, air from outsideof the tire is admitted through the filter 116 and into the bore 114 ofthe inlet conduit 110 from which it channels through the opening 67 ofthe inlet conduit 66 and into the air chamber 64. Arrows 118 show thepath of inlet air travel. The piston 82 is in an axially raised positionwithin the body air chamber 64 and blocks off the outlet opening 73 ofthe outlet conduit 70. Springs 92, 94 are in respective uncompressedconditions. The relief valve assembly 96 is generally in a closedposition so long as the pressure within the tire cavity remains below apreset recommended inflation pressure. In the closed position, thespring 108 biases the stop disk head 106 against the opening 102 throughconduit body 100. Should the pressure within the tire cavity exceed apressure threshold, the air pressure from the cavity will force the stop106 away from the conduit opening 102 and allow air to escape from thetire cavity.

As the region of the sidewall 14 carrying the assemblies 19, 20 rotatesinto opposition to the tire footprint, the sidewall 14 flexes and bends,causing a commensurate flexing of the compression actuator body 44 asshown at numeral 52 of FIG. 6B. FIG. 6B shows that the viscoelasticmaterial 48, having non-compressible material properties, in response tothe bending of body 44 is forced lower within the outlet conduit 50 andexerts a downward pressure on the first piston 74 as indicated by arrow56. The leading end surface 60 of the medium 48 bears against theoutward surface of the piston 74 and overcomes the resistance of coilspring 92 by compression of spring 92 to allow piston 74 to move lowerinto the air chamber 64. In so doing, the piston 74 moves into aposition blocking air intake into the chamber 64 through the intake tube110 and compresses the volume of air within the chamber 64. Increasedpressure of air within the chamber 64 forces the second piston 82 lowerwithin the air chamber 64 and compresses the coil spring 94.

When the piston 82 has moved a sufficient axial distance within the airchamber 64, the outlet opening 73 into the outlet conduit channel 72ceases to be obstructed by the piston 82 as shown in FIG. 6C and FIG. 5Pressurized air from the chamber 64 is thus forced through the channel72 and into the tire cavity in the direction indicated by arrow 126.When the pumping of air is complete and pressure within chamber 64against the second piston 82 is discontinued, the piston 82 is forcedaxially upward and back into the at-rest position shown both in FIG. 6Dand FIG. 6A.

As seen from FIG. 6D, once removal of the quantity of pressurized airwithin the chamber 44 into the tire cavity is complete, with furtherrotation of the tire the assemblies 19, 20 with the attachment region ofsidewall 14 leave the high stress position opposite the tire footprintand the tire sidewall region resumes an unstressed curvature as shown inFIG. 2A and 3A. The return of the sidewall 14 to an original curvatureconfiguration outside of the tire footprint is accompanied by andsynchronous with a return of the actuator body 44 to an unbentconfiguration. As the actuator body 44 resumes its original curvature,and commensurate with the end of the pumping cycle of air from airchamber 64, piston 82 moves axially upward under the influence of spring94 which forces the piston 74 in a radial upward movement. Theviscoelastic medium 48 recedes into the original containment form of thebody 44 and the pumping of air into the tire cavity is discontinueduntil the assemblies 19, 20 rotate with the tire back into alignmentopposite the tire footprint. With each revolution, the pumping of airfrom chamber 64 into the tire cavity occurs in cyclic fashion. It willbe appreciated that the operation of the air pumping action isindependent of the direction of tire revolution and will occur in eithera forward or reverse tire travel.

FIG. 6D also depicts view of the pump assembly 20 wherein pistons 74, 82are in the at-rest position while the relief valve assembly 96 functionsto vent tire cavity over-pressure air to the atmosphere. The reliefvalve assembly 96 is generally in the closed position shown in FIGS. 6Athrough 6C and only opens when the air pressure within the tire cavityexceeds a recommended upper threshold. In such an event, the stop body106 is forced laterally out of sealing engagement against with conduitflange 100 and overcoming biased resistance from the coil spring 108.The passageway 104 is thus opened to allow over-pressure air from thetire cavity through the conduit 102 and the relief channel 80 withinpiston 74 as indicated by directional arrow 124. The pressurized airfollows a path through the blind bore 76 of piston 74, through the blindbore 88 within the coupling post 86 of piston 82, and into the bore 114of tube 110 as indicated by directional arrow 122. The expelledover-pressure air exhausts to the atmosphere through filter unit 116 andout of tube end 115. The exhaust of air through filter 116 operates toclean particulates from the filter as well as correcting theover-pressure within the tire cavity. Once the tire cavity pressure isreduced below the threshold recommended pressure, spring 108 will uncoiland pressure the stop body 106 against the conduit flange end 100 andthus close off the tire cavity until over-pressure exhausting of airfrom the tire cavity is necessary.

Referring to FIGS. 9A, 9B, 10A, 10B, 11A, 11B, 12A, 12B, 13A through13D, 14A through 14C, inclusive, an alternative embodiment of a pump andcompression actuating assembly 134 is shown including a compressionactuating assembly 136 coupled to a pump assembly 138 to form anL-shaped insert body 140. The body 140 mounts to a lower sidewall regionof a tire carcass 12 proximate to a bead region 16 as shown in FIGS.10A, 10B. The compression actuating assembly 136 has a deformable hollowbody 142 forming a containment chamber 144 communicating with an outletportal 146. The hollow body 142 is configured at ninety degrees into anL-shape having upright body portion 148 extending from horizontal bodyportion 150. A viscoelastic medium on non-compressible material 152fills the containment chamber 144 as previously described in referenceto the first embodiment.

The pump assembly 138 likewise forms an L-shaped encapsulation sheathbody 154 affixed to the L-shaped compression actuating body 142. Body154 includes an upright body portion 158 extending from horizontal bodyportion 156. An outlet orifice 160 is positioned within the horizontalportion 156 and an inlet orifice 162 in a side facing region of theportion 156. An outlet conduit 168 is attached to the outlet orifice 160and includes an axial passage 170 extending to a remote end 170.

FIGS. 10A and 10B show the mounting of the L-shaped pump assembly 134 toa tire at a lower sidewall region proximate to a tire bead location. Aswith the embodiment previously described, the pump assembly 134 rotateswith the tire from a location outside of proximity to the tire footprint(FIG. 10A) into a position opposite the tire footprint (FIG. 10B) witheach tire revolution. As with the first embodiment, the assembly 134body 140 is bent by stress induced from a bending of the tire sidewallas the rotational position of assembly aligns opposite the tirefootprint (FIG. 10B). FIGS. 11A and 11B show the relative position ofthe assembly 134 within the lower region of sidewall 14 where theassembly body 140 is subjected to high bending forces as the tirerotates. The outlet end 172 of the outlet conduit 168 extends throughthe tire wall to the cavity 30 of the tire. Compressed air from thecompressor body 174 travels along passage 170 and into the tire cavityto keep the inflation pressure of the tire at a desired level.

FIG. 11A is a sectioned view taken from a pump location in anon-compressed area of the tire as shown in FIG. 10A. FIG. 11B is anenlarged view of the pump assembly 134 of FIG. 11A. FIG. 12A is asectioned view taken from a pump location in a compressed area of thetire as shown in FIG. 10B. FIG. 12B is an enlarged view of the pumpassembly 134 as depicted in FIG. 12.

With reference to FIGS. 13A through 13D and 14A through 14C, thecompression body 174 has an internal elongate compression chamber 176and a pair of one-way ball valves 178, 180 positioned at opposite endsof the chamber 176. Each of the valves 178, 180 is of a typecommercially available and each includes a stop ball component 182biased by a coil spring against a seat 186. In addition, a reliefpressure by-pass passage 188 is provided within the compression body 174in parallel to the chamber 176. Seated within the passage 188 is aone-way ball valve 190 of similar configuration as the ball valves 178,180. The passageway 188 and the chamber 176 extend in parallel betweenthe outlet conduit 168 at one end of the body 174 and the inlet opening162 at an opposite end.

Operation of the first alternative form of the pumping assembly 138proceeds as follows. The L-shaped body 136 is embedded or affixed to thetire carcass in the position shown generally by FIGS. 10A and 10B. Sopositioned, as the tire sidewall to which the assembly 138 undergoesbending, the compression actuating body 142 will likewise undergobending. FIGS. 13A and 13D show the pump assembly 138 in an “at-rest”status; that is, with the assembly 138 not under bending stress as thetire position of FIG. 10A represents. The ball valves 178, 180 are in aseated closed position. The valves 178, 180 are selected to open at adesired threshold pressure as will be explained.

In the at-rest position, air within the compression chamber 176 isunpressurized. The relief valve 190 is likewise seated and closed andwill remain so unless the air pressure within the tire cavity 30 is overa desired pressure threshold. In an over-pressure situation, the valve190 will open and allow air to escape the cavity 30 through passage 188and exhausted from the inlet opening 162 to the atmosphere. Thecompression medium 152 is confined to the compression body chamber 176and the inlet conduit 164 is clear.

FIG. 13B and FIG. 12B show the pump assembly 134 when the tire hasrotated the assembly into a position opposite the tire footprint (FIG.10B). The compression body 174 is then subjected to a bending force andis deformed. The bending of the body 174 forces the viscoelasticmaterial 152 from the chamber 144 into and along the conduit 164(direction 192) which, in turn, acts to compress air within thecompression chamber 176. Pressure from the compressed air opens thevalve 180 by unseating valve ball 182 and air is channeled into theoutlet conduit 168 to the tire cavity 30.

FIG. 13C represents the pump assembly 134 after further rotation of thetire occurs, positioning the pump assembly away from the tire footprintsuch as the position shown in FIG. 10A. The removal of bending force tothe body 174 allows the resilient body to return to its originalconfiguration and chamber 176 into a form allowing the medium 152 torecede back from the conduit 164. The transfer of pressurized air fromthe chamber 176 draws air into the chamber 176 from the atmospherethrough the unseating of one-way valve 178 from its seat 186. Air drawninto the chamber 176 forces the medium 152 back into the chamber 144 asshown at arrow 194. Valve 180 has reseated itself and blocks off airfrom exiting the chamber 176. A filter member 198 within the inlet endof the chamber 176 keeps particulates from entering the chamber 176.

FIG. 14D shows the assembly 134 back into its original at-rest position.In the event that an over-pressure situation arises within the tirecavity, the tire air pressure will cause the one-way valve 190 to openand air to flow in direction 196 back through the passage 188 forexhaust through filter 198 and into the atmosphere. The back flow of airthrough filter 198 helps to keep the filter clean. As with the firstembodiment, the pump assembly 134 operates in either direction of tirerotation and pumps air into the tire during each cycle of tirerevolution.

With reference to FIGS. 15, 16, 17A,B, 18A, and 18B, a tank-basedhydraulic pump assembly 200 is shown in a commercially viableconfiguration. The assembly 200 is functionally analogous to theembodiment of FIGS. 4 and 7 as previously discussed. Assembly 200includes an air compressor body 202 having an elongate axial bore orchamber 204. The chamber 204 is subdivided into a rearwardly locatedmembrane chamber 206 at a rearward end 208 of the body 202. End 208 ofthe body 202 has external screw threads 210 for assembly purposes.Adjacent to the rearward membrane chamber 206 is a medial aircompression chamber 212. Positioned at the chamber 212 is a tubularinlet air channel 214 extending through a sidewall of the body 202 intocommunication with chamber 212. An external inlet sleeve 216 extendsfrom the body 202 opposite the channel 214 and encloses a throughbore218. Assembly screw threads 220 are positioned within the bore 218.

Separating chambers 206 and 212 along the bore 204 is an annularmembrane abutment shoulder 222. Adjacent to the chamber 212 at anopposite end along the bore 204 is a concave chamber end wall 224.Inwardly tapering sidewalls 223 define the chamber 212 and extend fromthe annular abutment shoulder 222 to end wall 224. A circumferentialarray of through apertures 227 are positioned within the concave endwall 224. A circular outlet stop assembly 226 seats within the body 202on the opposite side of the concave end wall 224. A pair of annulardetent channels 230, 232 are formed within an outlet bore 228 at end 231of the compressor body 202. The outlet stop assembly 226 seats withinthe forwardmost channel 230 in position adjacent the compression chamberend wall 224.

A head cap member 234 having an axial internal chamber 236 attaches toend 208 of the body 202. The cap member 234 includes an outer flange 238and an annular detent channel 239 adjacent cap flange 238. The capmember 234 has a cylindrical body portion 240 that is internallythreaded by screw threads 242. Extending through a sidewall of the capmember 234 is a fill conduit 244 having a throughbore 246 and internalscrew threads 248. A screw member 250 includes threads 252 that threadinto the fill conduit 244.

An inlet conduit 254 has a cylindrical body 256 and an end 258 thatthreads into the inlet sleeve 216. An enlarged head 260 is integrallyjoined to body 256 and a throughbore 262 extends axially through theinlet conduit 254 end to end. The outlet stop member 226 includes acircular snap-ring body 264 dimensioned for close receipt within theoutlet bore 228 and formed of suitably rigid material such as plastic.The snap-ring body 264 is frictionally inserted and seats within theannular detent channel 230. The body 264 has a circular array of spacedapart apertures 266 extending therethrough and a slideably mountedcentral plug member 268 disposed within a center aperture of the body264. The plug member 268 has a body 272 including an enlarged circularsealing disk at a forward end positioned opposite to the apertures 227within the concave end wall 224 of the air compression chamber 212. Thebody 272 resides within the center aperture of the snap-ring body 264 Anannular flared spring flange portion 274 is formed at the rear of thebody 272. The plug member 268 is formed from a sufficiently resilientelastomeric material such as plastic so as to be compressible in anaxial direction within the center aperture of snap-ring body 264.Accordingly, the plug member 268 in the uncompressed state positions thesealing disk 270 in a sealing engagement against the apertures 227.Under air pressure, the sealing disk 270 moves rearward into an “open”position wherein the apertures 227 are unobstructed. Movement of theplug member body 268 between the uncompressed “closed” position and thecompressed “open” position is controlled by air pressure within thecompression chamber 212 as will be explained.

A circular retaining spring clip 276 is positioned within the detentchannel 232 and is operative to hold the outlet stop member 226 withinits respective channel 230. An elastomeric membrane component 278 isprovided of generally circular disk-shape. The component 278 has anannular ring body 280 which circumscribes a central circular flexiblemembrane panel 282. The ring body 280 of component 278 is ofsufficiently rigid material composition such as rubber to hold its formwhile the membrane panel 282 is sufficiently thin and resilientlyflexible to move between a bulging configuration and a non-bulgingconfiguration. Thus, the membrane panel 282 is operatively capable ofbulging outward under rearward air pressure and sufficiently resilientto revert back to an original orientation when such pressure is removed.

The membrane component 278 is seated within the membrane chamber 206 ofthe compressor body 202 against an internal annular body shoulder 283.An annular retention collar 284 is positioned within the chamber 206behind the membrane component 278. The head cap 234 is assembled byscrew thread engagement to the rear of the compressor body 202 as shown.In the assembled condition, the axial compression chamber 206, a centralbore chamber 286 of the membrane component 278, and the axial chamber236 of the head cap 234 are in co-axial alignment.

As with the previously discussed embodiment of FIGS. 2A and 7, thetank-based pump assembly 200 as shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B attaches toan actuator tank or compression actuating body 296 by the means of aforward coupling rib 298 which engages into the detent channel 239 ofthe head cap component 234. The compression actuating body 296 containsan internal reservoir 300 filled with a non-compressible medium 302 suchas an anti-freeze and water mix. The forward outlet of the body 296 thusis in medium fluid-flow communication with the internal chamber 236 ofthe head component 282 and the internal axial membrane chamber 206.

FIGS. 15, 17A, 17B, 18A illustrate the pump assembly 200 in theassembled condition with the inlet tube 254 screw assembled into theinlet sleeve 216 of body 202; the outlet stop member 226 positionedwithin the outlet bore 228 against the apertures within end wall 224 ofthe chamber 212; retainer clip 276 in a retention position within theoutlet bore 228. The compression actuating body or tank 296 is attachedto the rearward end of the head cap and filled with medium 302 via fillport 244 after the screw member 250 is removed. Screw member 250 is thenreinserted into the fill port 244 to encapsulate the medium within thereservoir 300. In containment, the medium fills the head cap memberchamber 236 and abuts against a rearward surface of membrane panel 282.

The assembly 200 with the compression actuating body 296 is affixed tothe inner liner 28 of a tire as shown in FIG. 15. The inlet tube 254extends through the tire sidewall and presents the outer end ofthroughbore 262 to the external atmosphere. The outlet bore 228 exitsinto the tire cavity to direct replenishment air into the cavity asrequired.

FIG. 17A shows the pump assembly 200 in an at-rest condition, withoutside air entering the inlet chamber as indicated by arrows 288. Themembrane or diaphragm panel 282 of the membrane body 280 is in anat-rest, non-extended state in which the medium 302 behind the membranepanel 282 exerts only a nominal pressure against the panel. Sopositioned, the membrane panel 282 does not block the inlet of air fromthe inlet channel 214 into the compression chamber 212. In the at-restposition of FIG. 17A, air within the chamber 212 is in a non-compressedstate. The sealing disk 270 of the plug member 268 is positioned againstthe concave end wall 224 of the air compression chamber 212 and, sopositioned, obstructs air from exiting the chamber 212 through theapertures 227. Air is thus contained in a non-compressed state withinthe chamber 212. In the at-rest condition, accordingly, the pumpassembly 200 is not pumping air into the tire cavity.

FIG. 17B is a view subsequent to FIG. 17A, wherein a deformation of thecompression actuating body 296 acts to displace a quantity of theviscoelastic medium 302 under pressure through the cap member chamber236, the retention collar bore 204, and against a rearward surface ofthe membrane panel 282. The applied pressure from the displaced mediumagainst panel 282 forces the panel outward into a protruding or bulgingcondition as indicated by arrow 290. As a result, the air withincompression chamber 212 is compressed. Increased air pressure within thecompression chamber 212 forces the sealing disk 270 of the plug member268 outward, placing the plug member 268 into a state of compressionagainst the support members 274. Movement of the sealing disk into theopen position serves to uncover the apertures 227 and allowing air topass from the chamber 212, through the apertures 266 of the snap-ring264, through the outlet bore 228, and into the tire cavity. It willfurther be noted that the bulging protrusion of the membrane panel 282further acts to block off the inlet channel 214 during the pumping cycleoperation.

When the air pressure within the compression chamber 212 has diminished,the compression of plug member 268 releases and forces the sealing disk270 back into the “sealing” or “closed” position of FIG. 17A. Themembrane panel resumes its configuration of FIG. 17A as the mediumbehind the panel 282 recedes back into its containment reservoir 300 andthe compression actuating containment body 296 resumes its non-deformedconfiguration. Movement of the membrane panel back into a“non-protruding” configuration opens the inlet channel 214, thusallowing outside air to be admitted into the compression chamber 212.The cyclical intake of air, compression of air, and exhausting ofcompressed air into the tire cavity occurs with every tire revolution.

It will be appreciated that the disk 270 is preferably formed of plasticand has a minimal travel to open, such as but not limited to 0.010 to0.020 inches. When assembled to the snap-ring 264 it is forcing the sealend against the openings 227 in the compression chamber end. The sixholes 266 through the snap-ring 264 operate to move a large amount ofair from the compression chamber 212 to the tire cavity during fast tirerotation.

FIGS. 17A, 17B, 19A and 19B show the operational cycle of the pumpassembly 200 as a tire rotates against a road surface. The flexing ofthe tire sidewall causes a deformation of the compression actuating body286 as the body 286 enters a position opposite the tire footprint. T1-T0show the position of the pump entering and leaving the footprintvicinity. FIG. 19B shows the operation/location of the membrane panel282 at each of the stages T1-T0. The pump assembly 200 accordinglycyclically alternatively closes and opens inlet and outlet ports toeffect pressurized air replenishment of the tire during rotationaloperation of the tire. FIG. 20 shows in graphic form cyclical pressurelevel variance within the air compression chamber over time.

Variations in the present invention are possible in light of thedescription of it provided herein. While certain representativeembodiments and details have been shown for the purpose of illustratingthe subject invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in this artthat various changes and modifications can be made therein withoutdeparting from the scope of the subject invention. It is, therefore, tobe understood that changes can be made in the particular embodimentsdescribed which will be within the full intended scope of the inventionas defined by the following appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An air-maintenance tire system comprising: a tirehaving a tire carcass comprising a tire cavity defined by a tire innerliner, first and second sidewalls extending respectively from first andsecond tire bead regions to a tire tread region; compression actuatormeans mounted to the tire carcass configured for operative actuation bytire deformation during a tire revolution, a pump assembly affixed tothe tire carcass and comprising a compressor body affixed to thecompression actuator means and having an internal air chamber, the airchamber having an inlet opening for admitting air into the internal airchamber and an outlet opening for conducting air from the internal airchamber to the tire cavity; the air compressor body further comprising aflexible membrane member located within the internal air chamber andoperatively deforming within the internal air chamber responsive tocontacting engagement with the compression actuator means between anopen position relative to the inlet opening wherein permitting air flowfrom the inlet opening into the air chamber and a closed positionrelative to the inlet opening wherein obstructing air flow from theinlet opening into the air chamber, wherein the membrane member duringoperational deformation between the open and closed positionscompressing a volume of air within the air chamber; a membrane valvemember for regulating air flow into the membrane member; an outlet valvemember within the air chamber and moving along the air chamberresponsive to air pressure within the air chamber reaching a presetthreshold between an open position wherein permitting air flow from theair chamber into the outlet opening and a closed position whereinobstructing air flow from the air chamber into the outlet opening;wherein the membrane valve member and the outlet valve member arepositioned at opposite ends of the air chamber; and wherein thecompression actuator means comprising a hollow containment body formedfrom a resilient deformable material composition and containing aquantity of a non-compressible medium, the containment body affixed to arelatively high flex-deformation region of the tire carcass and thecontainment body reciprocally transforming between a deformed state anda non-deformed state responsive to deformation and recovery of the tirehigh flex-deformation region in a rolling tire, respectively; andwherein the actuator means containment body in the deformed statedisplacing a pressurized displaced quantity of the non-compressiblemedium, the pressurized displaced quantity of the non-compressiblemedium operative to generate a compression force against a membranevalve member surface to move the membrane valve between the open andclosed positions within the air chamber.
 2. The air-maintenance tiresystem of claim 1, wherein further comprising an inlet conduit extendingthrough the tire between the inlet opening and an outward facing side ofthe tire.
 3. The air-maintenance tire system of claim 2, wherein furthercomprising an outlet conduit extending from the outlet opening to thetire cavity.
 4. The air-maintenance tire system of claim 1 wherein thecontainment body operationally undergoes a cyclic transformation betweenthe deformed state and the non-deformed state during a tire revolutionagainst a ground surface.
 5. An air-maintenance tire system comprising:a tire having a tire carcass comprising a tire cavity defined by a tireinner liner, first and second sidewalls extending respectively fromfirst and second tire bead regions to a tire tread region, compressionactuator means mounted to the tire carcass configured for operativeactuation by tire deformation during a tire revolution, a pump assemblyaffixed to the tire carcass and comprising a compressor body affixed tothe compression actuator means and having an internal air chamber, theair chamber having an inlet opening for admitting air into the internalair chamber and an outlet opening for conducting air from the internalair chamber to the tire cavity; the air compressor body furthercomprising a membrane valve member and an outlet valve member locatedwithin and at opposite respective ends of the internal air chamber, themembrane valve member and the outlet valve member moving within theinternal air chamber responsive to actuation by the compression actuatormeans between respective open and closed positions, whereby cyclicallyopening and closing the inlet and the outlet openings during an aircompression cycle comprising air intake, air compression, and airdischarge within the air chamber; and wherein the compression actuatormeans comprising a hollow containment body formed from a resilientdeformable material composition and containing a quantity of anon-compressible medium, the containment body affixed to a relativelyhigh flex-deformation region of the tire carcass and the containmentbody reciprocally transforming between a deformed state and anon-deformed state responsive to deformation and recovery of the tirehigh flex-deformation region in a rolling tire, respectively; andwherein the actuator means containment body in the deformed statedisplacing a pressurized displaced quantity of the non-compressiblemedium, the pressurized displaced quantity of the non-compressiblemedium operative to generate a compression force against a membranevalve member surface to move the membrane valve between the open andclosed positions within the air chamber.
 6. The air-maintenance systemof claim 5, wherein the membrane valve member in the open positionrelative to the inlet opening permitting air flow from the inlet openinginto the air chamber and the membrane valve member in the closedposition relative to the inlet opening obstructing air flow from theinlet opening into the air chamber, and wherein the membrane valvemember during movement between the open and closed positions operativelycompressing a volume of air within the air chamber.
 7. Theair-maintenance tire system of claim 5, wherein the outlet valve memberin the closed position relative to the outlet opening is operative tomove to the open position responsive to air pressure within the airchamber reaching a preset threshold wherein permitting air flow from theair chamber into the outlet opening.
 8. The air-maintenance tire systemof claim 7, wherein further comprising an inlet conduit extendingthrough the tire between the inlet opening and an outward facing side ofthe tire.
 9. The air-maintenance tire system of claim 8, wherein furthercomprising an outlet conduit extending from the outlet opening to thetire cavity.
 10. The air-maintenance tire system of claim 7, wherein thecompression actuator means comprising a hollow containment body formedfrom a resilient deformable material composition and containing aquantity of a non-compressible medium, the containment body affixed to arelatively high flex-deformation region of the tire carcass and thecontainment body reciprocally transforming between a deformed state anda non-deformed state responsive to deformation and recovery of the tirehigh flex-deformation region in a rolling tire, respectively; andwherein the actuator means containment body in the deformed statedisplacing a pressurized displaced quantity of the non-compressiblemedium, the pressurized displaced quantity of the non-compressiblemedium operative to generate a deformation force against a membranevalve member surface to deform the membrane valve member between theopen and closed positions within the air chamber.
 11. Theair-maintenance tire system of claim 10 wherein the containment bodyoperationally undergoes a cyclic transformation between the deformedstate and the non-deformed state during a tire revolution against aground surface.
 12. An air-maintenance tire system comprising: a tirehaving a tire carcass comprising a tire cavity defined by a tire innerliner, first and second sidewalls extending respectively from first andsecond tire bead regions to a tire tread region; compression actuatormeans mounted to the tire carcass configured for operative actuation bytire deformation during a tire revolution, a pump assembly affixed tothe tire carcass and comprising a compressor body affixed to thecompression actuator means and having an internal air chamber, theinternal air chamber having an inlet opening for admitting air into theinternal air chamber and an outlet opening for conducting air from theinternal air chamber to the tire cavity; the air compressor body furthercomprising a membrane valve member deforming into a deformed statewithin the internal air chamber responsive to actuation by thecompression actuator means to compress air within the internal airchamber; an outlet valve member located within the internal air chamber,the outlet valve member operatively moving relative to the internal airchamber between an open position permitting a flow of compressed airfrom the internal air chamber into the outlet opening and a closedposition obstructing a flow of compressed air from the internal airchamber into the outlet opening; and wherein the outlet valve membercomprises a plug member operatively fitting within the outlet opening inthe closed outlet valve member position and the plug member operativelydislodging from within the outlet opening in the open outlet valvemember position.
 13. The air-maintenance tire system of claim 12,wherein the compression actuator means comprising a hollow containmentbody formed from a resilient deformable material composition andcontaining a quantity of a non-compressible medium, the containment bodyaffixed to a relatively high flex-deformation region of the tire carcassand the containment body reciprocally transforming between a deformedstate and a non-deformed state responsive to deformation and recovery ofthe tire high flex-deformation region in a rolling tire, respectively;and wherein the actuator means containment body in the deformed statedisplacing a pressurized displaced quantity of the non-compressiblemedium against the membrane valve member to operatively place themembrane valve member in the deformed state.
 14. The air-maintenancetire system of claim 12, wherein the compression actuator meanscomprising a hollow containment body formed from a resilient deformablematerial composition and containing a quantity of a non-compressiblemedium, the containment body affixed to a relatively highflex-deformation region of the tire carcass and the containment bodyreciprocally transforming between a deformed state and a non-deformedstate responsive to deformation and recovery of the tire highflex-deformation region in a rolling tire, respectively; and wherein theactuator means containment body in the deformed state displacing apressurized displaced quantity of the non-compressible medium againstthe membrane valve member to operatively place the membrane valve memberin the deformed state.
 15. The air-maintenance tire system of claim 14,wherein the containment body operationally undergoes a cyclictransformation between the deformed state and the non-deformed stateduring a tire revolution against a ground surface.